The feisty Vancouver Island Marmot is Canada’s most endangered mammal with only an estimated 30 living in the wild in 2003. However, institutions like the Calgary and Toronto Zoos launched aggressive breeding and release programs that have since bolstered the wild population to 200 or more. These pups were born at the Calgary Zoo on June 30th and the Toronto Zoo just welcomed a litter this week!

16 VANCOUVER ISLAND PUPS BORN AT THE CALGARY ZOO
Canada’s Most Endangered Mammal and a 2010 Olympic Mascot – Making a Comeback Calgary, AB –When a species comes to the brink of extinction, it takes the dedicated and combined effort of many individuals and institutions to rescue it.

In total, 65 Vancouver Island marmot pups were born this year at four
partnering facilities across Canada including the Calgary Zoo, the Toronto Zoo,Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre in Langley, B.C. and the Tony Barrett Mt. Washington Recovery Centre on Vancouver Island.